The Role of Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib

The role of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib as an intermediary in the Guru Granth and Guru Panth tradition is the most significant in the Sikh world. Together with the other Singh Sahibaan as the Panj Piaray, the role is also interpretational of the wishes of the Sarbat Khalsa and refers back to great Gursikhs like Bhai Gurdas, Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh and, later, Shaheed Akali Phula Singh (also Jathedar of Akali Dal at Amritsar.)

The background to this topic is the selection and appointment of Giani Raghbir Singh as the Jathedar at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Friday 16 June 2023, replacing acting Jathedar Harpreet Singh. The sudden announcement of Jathedar changes, the appointment process limited to Panjab-based SGPC, the timing and the manner of these moves, the acting role of the previous Jathedar since 2018, and the dual role of the new Jathedar as also the Head Granthi of Darbar Sahib, are issues for wider discussion.

A major review of the selection procedure which takes account of Sikh populations outside Panjab and in the diaspora, is long overdue. The role of the Jathedar needs continual clarity in the light of Sikh theo-political ideology and history.

The sovereign Institution of Sri Akal Takh Sahib is the miri-piri (temporal-spiritual) focus of every Sikh. There is also a general principle behind this Institution that ultimately the Timeless Being (Akal Purakh) rules over the bodies and minds of all. In that sense, Sikh institutions and beliefs, derived from sarab-sanjhi Guru Bani, Guru and Khalsa history and tradition, also have a universal dimension. This should not cause confusion but add clarify to egalitarian Sikh thought. For example, the Khalsa state in history was, and will always be, secular in nature. To understand the nature of Khalsa raj or a Sikh state, we only have to refer back to the Khalsa Raj of Maharaja Ranjit Singh administered by all the diverse peoples of a region. A Sikh-ethos state is not necessarily a Sikh religion-state in which Sikhs rule.

The Institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is a sovereign state within the outside temporal state. The responsibility of Jathedar Akal Takht to fearlessly represent the sovereign status of Akal Takht Sahib vis a vis the state is immense.

The Jathedar promotes collective decision-making process which accords with Sikh tradition. He (or she) is the spokesperson for the Five Singh Sahibaan representing the institution of Panj Piaray, who act as the interpreters of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the wishes of the Sarbat Khalsa. The Jathedar is one of them. The rest of his role is administrative regarding theo-political Sikh affairs at the highest level. That requires policy, research and administrative support no less than the support available to any senior minister at national level.

The Jathedar is a communicator of Panthic decisions. He has to keep his finger on the collective pulse of the Panth and facilitate the continuity of Guru Granth-Panth tradition. He has to ensure the theo-temporal sovereignty of the Institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib above outside political pressure and influence.

While the job specification of the Jathedar can be clarified in the light of Sikh ideology and tradition, recent moves by the SGPC behind the scenes show that the procedure for selecting the person of the required stature with global Sikh participation, remains work-in-progress.

Gurmukh Singh OBE

Principal Civil Servant retd (UK)